ALBATROSS: Did Xander Bogaerts Quietly Bounceback, or Is This Baseball’s WORST Contract?

Is Xander Bogaerts’ contract a burden or is there still value for the San Diego Padres? Javier Reyes tackles the highs, lows, and unexpected twists of Bogaerts’ 2025 campaign, spotlighting his defensive prowess, advanced plate discipline, and potential to be a pivotal bat in the Padres lineup. With the team’s financial flexibility at stake, questions around whether Bogaerts can shake his streak of lackluster power hitting and emerge as THE X factor in 2026. Other key discussion points include Bogaerts’ excellent June/July stretch, his struggles with runners in scoring position, how new hitting coach Stephen Souza Jr. might unlock more production, comparisons to Eric Hosmer (oh yeah, it's that bad) and Jake Cronenworth put Bogaerts’ performance in perspective, insights into his contract’s implications for the Padres’ future roster moves, and more! Go Padres.  00:00 — Intro 1:11 — Xander Bogaerts Overview & 2025 Recap 10:33 — Reasons for Optimism 17:09 — Concerns & X-Factor Questions for 2026 Join Everydayer Club: https://lockedonpadres.supercast.com/ Follow on Twitter: https://mobile.twitter.com/Javiipeno Follow on BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/javiipeno.bsky.social Follow on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@javioos Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PlayStation This episode of is brought to you by MLB The Show 26. Visit https://mlbthe.show/lockedon and use code “LOCKEDON” to unlock a pack for use in Diamond Dynasty. Pre-Order now, Available March 17th on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. RATED E FOR EVERYONE. Turbo Tax For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life.  Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today.  Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDONfor $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel FanDuel is giving you a way to turn that energy into even bigger potential wins with a College Basketball Parlay Profit Boost.Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started — Play Your Game.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.